Creating Confident Smiles With Sedation Dentistry in Elgin, IL
Elgin, IL, sedation dentist Dr. Rice recognizes that there are patients who have had negative experiences with their previous dental care, and understands some are afraid of the dentist so avoid going. For those who are afraid of the dentist, or experience dental anxiety when going to the dentist, Dr. Rice offers several sedation dentistry options to make your visit as comfortable as possible. If you are an adult in the Elgin area who is afraid of the dentist, some of these sedation dentistry methods may be an option for you: conscious sedation, laughing gas, IV sedation and dental general anesthesia.
Sedation dentistry is also an option for patients who need multiple procedures done at once. If you have time restraints, sedation dentistry allows you to get many procedures done under one sedation session. It is the most comfortable and the most time-efficient option for your dental care.
One of the most common fears we hear is: “What if I can’t get numb?” At our office, we can get you numb, even if other dentists have struggled. Dr. Rice has advanced training in local anesthesia and teaches other dentists how to numb patients safely, quickly, and effectively.
Why Choose David A. Rice, DDS for Sedation Dentistry?
Many sedation providers charge based on time. In contrast, Dr. Rice offers straightforward flat-fee sedation pricing, which can provide peace of mind and substantial savings, especially for patients undergoing longer procedures.
Depending on the type of procedure being performed and the individual patient’s desires, Dr. Rice will find the right type of dental sedation to fit each patient and ensure you are thoroughly informed about the effects of each. Many sedation dentist specialists can only offer minimal sedation, but Dr. Rice is certified and licensed in sedation dentistry for adults.
Also available are stereo headsets to listen to selected music throughout care, and plasma TV screens for viewing your favorite DVD during treatment. Feel free to discuss your needs by contacting us today.
“I have had to undergo extensive work, due to the fact that I hadn’t been seeing a dentist regularly. Case in point: I underwent a four hour procedure under IV sedation – you read that right, FOUR hours, and I was never in any discomfort. You might not believe that’s possible, but trust me: It’s all about the skill set, and Dr. Rice is up there with the best of them. He truly is, “An angel in blue scrubs!” (As I referred to him in one of my loopier moments. And Denise is probably one of the best hygienists I have ever experienced: Gentle, thorough, sensitive to your every need.
Bottom line: Trust your oral care to Rice Dental. You won’t regret it.”
Sherry M. – Patient of David A. Rice, DDS
Types Of Sedation Dentistry
Laughing Gas
The type of sedation dentistry thought of by most in the dentist chair is laughing gas sedation, also known as happy gas. When given laughing gas dental sedation, a patient will feel euphoric and the amount of pain experienced will be minimal. Using laughing gas for sedation dentistry is also effective in alleviating the anxiety that some experience while at the dentist. The effects of laughing gas sedation are relatively short-lived and carry minimal side effects.
Oral Sedation in Pill Form
Another type of dental sedation offered by your Elgin sedation dentist is oral sedation, also known as happy pills. The oral sedation used by our office is usually one of three oral tablets, Valium, Triazelam, or Halcion. A patient is prescribed the medication and takes it prior to their appointment. Oral sedation is highly effective for those who suffer moderate to severe anxiety from dental visits. Although most oral sedation won’t eliminate pain, it can aid in a patient’s overall sense of well-being; allowing for the administration of local anesthetics for pain.
Before any oral sedation and intravenous sedation procedure, dental anesthesia specialist Dr. Rice, will review your medical records to make sure you are a candidate for sedation dentistry based on your previous health history and any medications you are currently taking. During this consultation at our office, you will decide with Dr. Rice what procedure is right for you. He offers oral sedation and intravenous sedation options for crown, root canal, extraction, implant, and many other procedures. During the consultation, he will also go over the appropriate dosage of oral sedation or intravenous sedation based on your age and health. If oral sedation is the recommended procedure, Dr. Rice will prescribe you medication to take before your procedure in Elgin.
IV Sedation
For those who are getting more than just a routine dental filling or teeth cleaning, we offer something called IV sedation dentistry or light conscious sedation dentistry. IV sedation, short for intravenous sedation, is administered through I.V. tubing. IV sedation is great for those procedures that are not invasive enough to require total dental sedation, but need something stronger than standard laughing gas or oral sedation.
If IV sedation is the recommended procedure, patients can expect to be put into a twilight sleep. You will not be fully unconscious, but you will not feel pain, and you will not remember most of the procedure. Dr. Rice and his dental anesthesia team in Elgin will monitor your vital signs throughout the appointment following American Dental Association guidelines. Dr. Rice also has oxygen, artificial ventilation support, and medications on hand that can reverse the effects of sedation if needed.
General Anesthesia
When it is absolutely not an option for a patient to be conscious during a procedure, deep sedation or general anesthesia is the most viable option. This is always considered the last resort, as general anesthesia places a patient into a near-coma state. During general anesthesia, machines regulate breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure. It is administered by an anesthesiologist who comes directly to our office for your appointment. General anesthesia in dentistry is also referred to as sleep dentistry or being “truly asleep.”
General anesthesia is recommended only for cases where IV or oral sedation are insufficient for patient comfort or safety. Patients who require general anesthesia will be fully unconscious throughout their procedure. Additionally, flat-fee pricing does not apply to general anesthesia. Our team will discuss pricing during your consultation.
Am I A Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Though nearly all of our patients who struggle with dental anxiety or a fear of the dentist are suitable dental sedation candidates, it’s important to meet with us first to make sure dental sedation poses no health risks to you. Typical issues dental sedation is a fantastic solution for include:
- FEAR OF DENTISTS – We know a fear of the dentist is no laughing matter. Some patients have such a great fear of the dentist that they put off going to the dentist for years or decades! If this is you, you now have options for relief! Dental sedation can help you overcome your fear of the dentist and get you the dental attention you need.
- LOW PAIN THRESHOLD – Some of our patients just have a lower threshold for pain. This can be the norm for them, or dramatically amplified when coupled with dental anxiety. Dental sedation will help you feel more comfortable during your entire visit. And if you’ve ever struggled to get numb, Dr. Rice’s advanced anesthesia techniques mean we can finally numb you predictably and comfortably.
- DENTAL ANXIETY – Dental anxiety can be triggered by any number of things: fear of the dentist, traumatic past experience, fear of needles, feeling trapped, etc. Dental sedation is tremendously effective at soothing dental anxiety for our patients in Elgin, enabling you to feel at ease during your treatment.
- STIR CRAZY – Does sitting in a chair drive you bonkers? Dental sedation can actually allow you to not mind sitting in your chair during your visit. You may actually even enjoy it. Seriously.
- SPECIAL NEEDS PATIENTS – Sedation dentistry allows special needs patients to maintain their oral health by receiving essential dental care in a painless and stress-free fashion, without any awareness of the treatment being performed. In cases of more complex or severe disabilities, we may consult with the patient’s physician or specialist to ensure the highest standard of care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry
What Is Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation or sedation dentistry is the term used to describe dental sedation services that enable patients to feel calm and relaxed during normal or extended dental treatments and visits. Sedation dental treatments involve administering a sedative before or during dental treatment that enables our sedation dentists to help patients get the dental care they need in a stress- and pain-free way.
What is Sleep Dentistry?
Understand that the term “sleep dentistry” does not mean that a patient is actually asleep during treatment (except with general anesthesia). So what is sleep dentistry? Well, it’s often called sleep dentistry because a patient can feel so at ease and comfortable that they may feel like they are asleep, but they are still conscious and are able to communicate with our sedation dentists whenever needed. Sleep dentistry is changing the lives of millions of people and is rapidly growing in popularity. Millions suffer from dental neglect and our sedation dentists make it possible for them to overcome fears and anxieties so they can finally get the treatment they need.
How Do I Choose A Sedation Dentist?
Just because a dental practice describes themselves as sedation dentists, doesn’t mean they offer the same level of quality treatment as other sedation dentists. Dr. Rice couples top-quality dental care with different sleep dentistry options to custom fit a treatment plan to the needs of his patients in Elgin.
Is Dental Sedation Right For Patients Who Have A Dental Phobia?
A large percentage of Americans suffer with moderate to extreme “dental phobia“. We understand that this dental phobia is no laughing matter. Delaying needed dental work due to a dental phobia can lead to major issues down the road. If you experience dental anxiety about dentistry, dental sedation can help you receive the dental care you need before much bigger problems and more expensive problems arise.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
We have a fantastic record of safely administering sedation dentistry treatments. Dr. Rice is extremely careful and cautious when working with patients and always makes sure you are comfortable with the dental sedation.
Will I need someone to drive me home after my dental sedation appointment?
For more moderate sedation procedures you will need assistance driving home. For IV sedation and general anesthesia procedures, once the sedation medication wears off, you will wake up and wait approximately 20–30 minutes before having a friend or relative pick you up. You can expect to have little to no memory of the procedure. It is not recommended to drive or operate any equipment for 24 hours after undergoing IV sedation or general anesthesia. Dr. Rice suggests eating light food and staying hydrated to help clear the sedation medication from your system. He will also personally call you the evening of your appointment to check on your recovery and answer any questions.
How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
At David A Rice, DDS, we believe that comfortable dentistry should be accessible and the costs straight forward. Our approach to sedation pricing is very different from most dental offices and turns out to be much less expensive than our competitors for most procedures.
Most dental offices charge sedation fees based on time, which can increase the total cost of sedation significantly during longer procedures.
A common formula used by most dental offices is to charge an initial fee to get started on sedation and then there are fees every incremental time period the sedation is used. For example, typical charges in the Elgin area range from $260-$450 for the initial 15 minutes of sedation and then $250-$400 for every 15 minutes thereafter.
At our office, Dr. Rice offers straightforward flat-fee sedation pricing. The price is the same for all procedures no matter how long sedation is being used. This provides patients with more predictable costs and can offer substantial value for longer appointments such as wisdom teeth removal, dental implant surgery, or full-mouth treatment.
During your consultation, we will review all treatment and sedation costs with you in advance so there are no surprises.
Contact Us for Sedation Dentistry
At David Rice, DDS, we will do everything to make sure you have the most positive experience possible. One way we do this is by offering sedation dentistry and providing you with the right type of dental sedation for your needs.
Dr. Rice is a highly qualified sedation dentist and will take the time to help you decide which type of dental sedation will be best for your specific situation.
Contact Dr. David Rice, DDS in Elgin today to learn more about sedation dentistry by calling us at the number above or by filling out the form on this page.